Illegal animal feed impounded

The Department of Agriculture in Ireland has impounded
7,000 tonnes of US animal feed at Dublin port, following the discovery that the
feed contained illegal GM maize: Herculex Rw.

The Department hopes to recover the remainder of the cargo (sampled by
Greenpeace in Rotterdam, the Netherlands). The material is found to contain GM
material not authorised in the EU, though legal in the US.

In Ireland,
the cargo (6,000 tonnes of corn gluten feed and 6,200 tonnes of distillers'
dried grain) was discharged at Dublin port in early April from the MV
Pakrac.

The feed was certified as not containing GM Herculex Rw maize
product, according to the department. However, information was then received in
May from the Dutch authorities that official samples showed the maize tested
positive for Herculex Rw. These results were confirmed by the State laboratory
for analysis.

No adverse effects"While some of the
material has already been incorporated into the animal feed chain, it is
unlikely, based on the European Food Safety Authority evaluation, to have any
adverse effects on human or animal health or the environment," said the
Department.

"In accordance with requirements under EU legislation, the
department will ensure that none of the material currently under restriction
will enter the food chain," it said.